Continuing EducationASORN maintains accreditation as both a provider and an approver of continuing education for nurses with the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation (ANCC-COA). As a Provider, ASORN is accredited to award nursing contact hours for educational activities that it provides on its own or coprovides with another organization or individual. As an Approver, ASORN is accredited to approve the educational activities of other, non-accredited, individuals or organizations, for nursing contact hours. ASORN also maintains a California Board of Registered Nursing Provider Number. Many ASORN members maintain certification as certified ophthalmic assistants, technicians or technologists. Therefore, ASORN submits most of its educational activities to the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO) for approval of continuing education credits as well.
Continuing education requirements for nurses differ by state; therefore, it is important for each nurse to understand his or her State Board of Nursing requirements. Most State Boards of Nursing accept ANCC-COA accredited contact hours for relicensure, however, some may not because they have separate requirements. Additionally, some State Boards of Nursing accept ANCC-COA accredited contact hours when the activity is offered outside their state; when the activity occurs within their state, a separate provider number (as is the case for California) is required. Other State Boards of Nursing might require that you submit a copy of the program you plan to attend for approval prior to the start date. It is the individual’s responsibility to be informed about his or her State Board’s requirements.
Continuing education credits are also applicable for recertification requirements for many organizations. Each individual must be responsible for understanding what is acceptable continuing education for each certification they maintain. The National Certifying Board for Ophthalmic Registered Nurses (NCBORN), for example, requires that the continuing education be provided or approved by an organization that is accredited by the ANCC-COA, a State Nurses Association, the ACCME, or a nurse or nurse organization accredited as a provider by a state Board of Registered Nursing.
JCAHPO also has requirements related to the type of approved educational credits that may be used toward recertification. Be sure that you understand these requirements if you need JCAHPO CECs to maintain your certification.
If you have any questions about the applicability of continuing education credits for use toward relicensure or recertification, contact your State Board of Nursing or certifying organization before you commit to the educational activity.